John Gary Cooper, 72, of the Town of Niagara, passed away on Monday May 28, 2012 at his home. He was born in Blind River, Ontario, Canada to the late Henry and Isobel (Mc Coy) Cooper. Jack went to school in Canada before moving to the United States in 1966. He married Sharon K. (O’Leary) Cooper on October 16, 1971 at St. Patrick’s Church in Niagara Falls, Ontario. As a transport driver, he started working as a teenager at Lococco Brothers in Niagara Falls, Ontario and continued until just days before his unexpected illness. He also owned his own rig hauling boats for Andrew’s Trucking in Virgil, Ontario from Florida to various destinations up north. Jack was like his own G. P. S., providing other truckers with advice on the best routes and where all the scales were located as well as legal hours for hauling and of course where “SMOKIE” could be found in every state and town. A fan of warm weather, Jack spent time waiting for boats to be transported north while enjoying life in Florida at his “condo.” In the 60s, he took up motorcycle racing in the 250cc class purely for fun. He even attended night school for machine shop classes so he could make parts for his racing bikes. Jack raced extensively throughout Ontario and the U. S., often finishing first or second place and earning the title of Jr. Canadian champion during the late 1960s. He competed twice at the Isle of Man as well. Closer to home, Jack played hockey across Canada and the U. S. for many years in an Industrial League as well as slow-pitch baseball back home in Canada. In the 1980s, he also coached young boys’ hockey teams. Jack was previously a member of La Salle Sportsmen’s Club and Moose Lodge in Lewiston, NY while currently being a member of Buff Club; he also belonged to Alachua Sporting Club in Florida. Jack is survived by his wife Sharon with whom he shared forty years; their daughter Erin K. Mc Clure from Niagara Falls, NY who was by his side when he passed; his adored grandsons Bradley and Brett Mc Clure who called him Grampie; sisters Verna (late Romeo) Bonin and Myrtle (Sam) Levesque both from Niagara Falls, Ontario; brother Vincent Cooper from Niagara Falls, Ontario; along with numerous nieces and nephews. Additionally left behind is his mother-in-law Alice (late Joseph B. O’Leary) (late Glendon E.) Clark from Niagara Falls, Ontario along with sister-in-law Colleen Gallen her husband Ron plus their children Glen and Amber also from Niagara Falls, Ontario. Jack was predeceased by his parents Henry and Isobel Cooper along with sister Irene Carr. No prior visitation will take place. The family held private services according to their wishes. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to American Cancer Society at 101 John James Audubon Parkway Amherst NY 14228 or to Niagara Hospice Inc., located at 4675 Sunset Drive Lockport NY 14094.
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